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SOCIAL WORK MSW – ADVANCED STANDING

Aug. 21, 2024

Next Start Date

12

Courses Required

$676

Cost Per Credit Hour

36

Total Credit Hours

Online Courses

Learning Format

Expand Your Reach

The Master of Social Work offered by the WVU School of Social Work prepares you to be a well-rounded advanced practitioner who can respond to the complex realities of practice in a variety of roles and settings. The specialization in advanced integrated practice builds on generalist practice and prepares you to integrate micro, mezzo, and macro practice skills across service sectors and within interdisciplinary teams to effectively address social and human problems pertinent to a wide range of professional practice areas, with a particular emphasis on effective models of rural service delivery.

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The WVU Master of Social Work program educates students to become advanced integrated practice social workers. The specialization in advanced integrated practice builds on generalist practice and prepares students to integrate micro, mezzo, and macro practice skills across service sectors and within interdisciplinary teams to effectively address social and human problems pertinent to a wide range of professional practice areas, with a particular emphasis on effective models of rural service delivery.

The advanced integrated practice curriculum provides an integrative approach to social work where students are prepared for both direct practice and administrative roles. This curriculum prepares WVU MSW graduates to be well-rounded advanced practitioners who can respond to the complex realities of practice in a variety of roles and settings.


Students are eligible to pursue the Advanced Standing degree plan option if they have earned a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited university within the previous 8 years. The Advanced Standing degree plan option can be pursued through our online program on a part-time basis only. Students who pursue the Advanced Standing degree plan option through the online program begin the program in the fall semester and complete the degree the summer after their second year in classes.

Students with a bachelor’s degree other than social work, or with a BSW degree earned more than eight years ago, should go to the Social Work MSW – Regular Standing page.

Online MSW Technology Requirements

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Thank you for your interest in the Social Work MSW - Advanced Standing program at West Virginia University! Attend a Virtual Information Session and learn more about the Social Work MSW - Advanced Standing program.

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Social Work MSW - Advanced Standing Admission Requirements

Advanced Standing

  • Domestic applicants who have received a BSW from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program within the last eight years may apply for Advanced Standing.
  • International applicants (on-campus program only) who have received a BSW from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program, recognized through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services, or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors within the last eight years may apply for advanced-standing.

Admissions

Application Deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

  • February 1 is the priority deadline. Applications submitted by February 1 will be given preference for scholarships.
  • April 15 is the deadline. All applications must be submitted by April 15 for consideration.

NOTE: International applicants living outside of the United States are not eligible to apply to the online MSW program.

Application and Application Fee
  • Complete the Online Application
  • $60 application fee
Transcripts
  • Submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework to the WVU Office of Graduate Admissions at P.O. Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506. ( *NOTE: official transcripts for applicants who attended West Virginia University will be uploaded by WVU Graduate Admissions upon submission of the graduate application).
  • Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded by applicants in their application for the purposes of review for admission. However, official transcripts are required before a formal acceptance to the MSW program is offered.
Resume
  • Submit a current resume including employment, volunteer experience, including start and end dates.

Letters of Recommendation

Three professional letters of recommendation are required. Contact information for these individuals should be provided within the online Graduate Application. Please submit a recommendation from each of the following categories*** (see note below):

  • Academic**(see note for advanced-standing applicants below)
  • Social Work/Human Service Experience (volunteer or paid)
  • Employer

**It is preferred that advanced-standing applicants submit a supporting recommendation from the director of their undergraduate program. Use this as the academic reference. A recommendation from a different BSW faculty member is also acceptable.

***The recommendation suggestions above are preferable, however, for applicants that have been out of school for many years or who have been working in the field, a combination of 3 professional recommendations that address your ability to handle the rigors of graduate studies and your experience and skills in the helping field are acceptable. For students right out of undergraduate studies with little work experience; a combination of 3 professional recommendations that include 2 academic references and a social work/human service experience recommendation are appropriate. Questions? Contact us at socialwork@mail.wvu.edu.

Admission Essay

All applicants must submit an Admission Essay. Please see detailed guidelines for the essay on the WVU School of Social Work Admissions Requirements.

For more information, contact Master of Social Work Admissions & Recruitment at socialwork@mail.wvu.edu or phone (304) 293-3280.

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Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

WVU provides a comprehensive approach to helping you finance your education. Learn more by visiting the Student Financial Services website.

Students are encouraged to:

  • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form by the March 1 deadline to determine their eligibility for federal and state funds as well as scholarships. WVU’s FAFSA Code is 003827; and
  • Check with your employer to see if they provide financial support for earning your graduate degree.

Social Work MSW - Advanced Standing total degree cost: $24,336 – Residents and Non-Residents

Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies and living expenses. Please see the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage for how to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.

Your future in Social Work

The demand for professional social workers has been steadily rising. Projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other research organizations indicate that this trend will persist, both in terms of increased numbers and the expansion of specialized programs. The curriculum of the WVU MSW program is carefully crafted to equip students for these growing career opportunities.

The Benefits to Choosing Our Program

The Advanced Standing degree plan is available to students who have either earned a baccalaureate degree in Social Work (BSW) within the previous 8 years from a program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education, that is recognized through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service, or that is covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.

Career outlook for Social Work

Graduates of the MSW program are employed throughout the United States and internationally. They work as individual, family, and group treatment specialists, planners, community organizers, and social researchers. They also work as social work educators and as administrators in a variety of programs such as mental health clinics, hospitals, correctional institutions, courts, delinquency programs, aging programs, family counseling agencies, child protective agencies, public welfare departments, child development programs, drug and alcohol abuse programs, public schools, community action agencies, settlement houses, city governments, state government planning agencies, federal administrative agencies, and private research and development organizations concerned with human problems. Social workers are the largest group of mental health service providers in the country.

Advanced Courses

Course Title Credit Hours
SOWK 616 Evaluation Research in Social Work 3
SOWK 633 Social Policy Analysis, Advocacy, and Deliberation 3
SOWK 643 Assessment and Diagnosis 3
SOWK 649 Practice with Individuals 3
SOWK 650 Practice with Families and Groups 3
SOWK 654 Organizational Administration and Leadership 3
SOWK 656 Financial Management and Grant Writing 3
SOWK 682 Advanced Field Experience 3-5

Electives
Select two of the following:

Course Title Credit Hours
SOWK 626 Child Mental Health: Promotion, Prevention, and Treatment 3
SOWK 627 Clinical Practice in Integrated Healthcare 3
SOWK 675 Addiction and Social Work Practice 3
SOWK 680 Child Welfare Continuum 3
GERO 645 Fundamentals of Gerontology 3
GERO 681 Rural Gerontology 3

Total Hours: 36

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the potential employers for the Social Work MSW degree?

Social workers are employed in a variety of settings, including child welfare and human service agencies, healthcare providers, and schools. Most work full time, and some work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

How long will it take me to complete a Master of Social Work Advanced Standing degree?

Advanced Standing is reserved for students who have earned a Council on Social Work Education accredited baccalaureate degree in Social Work within the past 8 years. Advanced standing students can complete their degree on a full-time or part-time basis. Part-time students have the option of completing their degree on campus or online. Part-time students can complete this degree in two years.

Can you tell me more about the faculty and curriculum for the Social Work MSW Advanced Standing program?

The MSW Program offers social work education for the 21st century, incorporating digital literacy in both the on campus and online programs. The WVU MSW is ranked #72 by US News & World Report in their 2022 rankings of graduate schools of social work.

When are the Master of Social Work Advanced Standing program deadlines?

  • February 1 is the priority deadline.* Applications submitted by February 1 will be given preference for scholarships.
  • June 15 is the standard deadline.* Applications submitted between February 2 and June 15 will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Please remember that all required materials must be received and processed by the deadline dates listed above. Keep in mind transcripts, references, and test scores often take longer than anticipated to arrive.

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